Farming implement



y 9, 1940- M. .c. CHANEY I 2,207,087.

I FARMING IMPLEMENT Y Filed Jan. 16, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 9, 1940.c. CHANEY 2,207,037

I "FARMING IMPLEMENT Filed Jan. 16, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 so so 78Patented July 9, 1940 I PATENT orrica ammo murmur Melvin O. Chaney,Springfield, Ohio, assignor of one-half to Ohio William E. Chaney,Springfield,

Application January 1c, 1939, serial No. 251,102

This invention relates to a farming implementand more particularly to atractor apparatus in which an implement attachment assembly is adaptedto be mounted directly on the tractor for operation as a unitary powerdriven implement.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a power drivenfarming implement, adapted for varying uses, which is simple andinexpensive to manufacture and repair, which has ease and readiness ofcontrol and maneuverability, and which is protected against damagearising from obstacles encountered in use.

It is a further object to provide a farming implement of this characterin which the power drive is disengaged upon the implement striking aheavy obstacle to avoid damage, the tractor being arranged to thereuponautomatically move to such position as to facilitate freeing theimplement from the obstacle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a farming implementof this character in which the implement such as a plow can be readiiyadjusted to operate at a desired depth below the surface of the groundand will automatically maintain itself at the adjusted depthirrespective of changes in the-contour or hardness of the ground.

It is a further object to provide such implement in which a plow havingboth a lifting and an angular swinging movement is automatically liftedupon striking an obstacle and simultaneously adjusted to an angularposition tending to free the plow, the angular position being such as tofacilitate reentry of the plow into the ground after passage over theobstacle.

It-is a still further object to provide such implement in which a commoncontrol is provided for eifecting angular swinging adjustment of theplow upona support to control its entry into the ground and the depth atwhich it operates and to efiect the lifting of the plow to withdraw itfrom operative position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, the appended claims, and the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. l is an elevational view,- partly broken away, of a tractor havingan implement attach- I ment constructed in accordance with the inventionassembled thereon in operative relationship:

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the attachment Fig. 3 is a verticalsectional view taken along the line H of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig.2 and showing the clutch operating mechanism in detail;

Fig. 5 is a'fragmentary, sectional view taken along the line 5-6 of Fig.2 and showing a detail of the supporting structure for the attachmentassembly;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional detail view taken along the line 6-6of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the implement carried by the attachmentdevice of Fig. l.

In accordance with the present invention the implement is supported onthe tractor by means of an attachment assembly that can be readilyattached to or. detached from a conventional tractor and which providesfor automatically disengaging the tractor clutch when the implementstrikes an obstacle that might cause damage to the implement, the clutchoperating mechanismbeing thereafter automatically returned to a normaloperative position and the tractor being automatically moved to aposition that facilitates the freeing of the implement from theobstacle. The invention has particular importance in mounting a plow ona power driven tractor and provides for protecting the plow againstdamage and for controlling the operation of the plow in'an improved andhighly efiectlve manner.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of theinvention the implement attachment assembly is shown as applied to a"farm-all or high suspended rear axle type of tractor. The tractor.which is designated generally by the reference numeral I0, is providedwith the usual front steering wheels ii, rear traction wheels i2,operator's seat l3, gear lever id and foot-actuated clutch pedal IS. Therear wheels I! are supported at each side of the tractor by means ofcastings it which extend downwardly from the tractor chassis and housesuitable gearing for driving the wheels. To provide for turning thetractor about a very short radius a separate hand brake. I1 is alsoprovided for each of the rear wheels.

The attachment assembly is carried by a substantially 'U-shaped framemember 20 which as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is constructed from angleirons and has side arms 2| and 22 and a cross portion 23. The framemember 20 is mounted between the rear wheels of the tractor and extendsforward to about on line with the front ends of the rear wheels. Bolts24 which extend through the side arms 2| and 22 and thread into thegearhousing l3 rigidly attach the frame 23 to the tractor.

An implement supporting beam 33 extends rearwardly of the frame member23 and supports an'implement such as the plow 3| at the rear of thetractor. The forward end of the beam 33 is mounted on the frame memberby means of a crankshaft 32 which is rotatablysupported on the framemember 23 and extends transversely of the tractor when the frame memberis assembled thereon. The support for the crankshaft is such that it maybe adjustably tiltedin a vertical plane to provide for adjusting theangularity 'of the implement carried by the beam 33 to compensate fortilt of the tractor when one of the rear wheels travels at a higherlevel .than the other, such, for example, as in a plowing operationwhere one of the wheels travelsin a furrow whilethe other wheel travelson solid, unplowed ground. 7

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 one end of the crankshaft 32 takes its bearingin the rearwardly extending arm 33 of an angle bar 33. The arm is spacedfrom the side frame member 2| and is fixedly supported on the frame bymeans of bolts 31 and 33 and spacing collar 33. The other end of thecrankshaft takes its bearing in the rearwardly extending arm 33 of asecond angle bar 4| which is pivotally mounted on the frame portion 23as indicated at 42 and is supported adjacent the arm 43 by means of anadjusting mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral 43 andbest shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

Referring to these figures a plate 33 is welded or otherwise attached tothe arm portion 43 of the angle bar II and extends laterally of the arminto underlying relationship with the top 3| of the angle iron formingthe side member 22 of the frame 23. An adjusting screw 32 extendsdownwardly through suitable openings provided in the frame portion 3|and .the plate 33 and is rotatably connected to the: under side of theplate by means of a washer 53 and nut 34. An adjusting nut 35 isthreadedly engaged with the adjusting screw 32 above the angle ironportion 5| and is maintained against rotation by bolts 33 which extendthrough the frame member and the nut. A rockable support for theadjusting screw assembly is provided by coil springs 51 which surroundthe bolts 53 and are compressed between the nut 55 and the top portion3| of the frame member. It will be evident from the foregoingdescription that when the screw 32 is rotated in the nut 53 the arm 33will be lowered or raised to cause the crankshaft 32 to swing in avertical plane about its bearing in the fixed arm 35. The bearings inthe arms 35 and 33 are of sufilcient size to provide for the verticalswinging movement of the crankshaft.

The pull on the beam 33 which is transmitted to the arm 43 by thecrankshaft 32 is resisted by a pair of guide plates 33 and 3| that arewelded or otherwise rigidly attached to the frame portion 23 adjacentthe arm 43 and extend downwardly on opposite sides of the transverselyextending portion of the angle bar 4|. The guide plates have sufficientlength to provide for the full vertical adjustment of the angle bar 4|and are connected together at the lower end by means of bolt 32andspacing collar 33 to provide for transmitting the pull on the arm 43to both plates.

The crankshaft 32 is illustrated as being of the built-up type and isprovided with two pairs of m an crank arms 31 which are positionedadjacent the ends of the crankshaft and carry crank plus". The var-iotaparts of the crankshaft are welded or otherwise rigidly attached to eachother to provide a rigid, unitary structure. The crank shaft issupported in the arms 33 and 33 by means of collars 33 and set screws 13which provide for adjusting the position of the crank arms 31transversely of the tractor.

The beam 33 is operatively connected to the crankshaft 32 by means ofyoke members 13 and 13 which are rigidly attached to the beam adjacentthe forward end thereof as indicated at The yoke members I3 and 13extend forwardly and outwardly from the beam, as shown. and are providedwith parallel, forwardly extending portions 13 which are pivotallymounted on the crank pins 33. As shown in Fig. 4 the forward ends of thearms 13 are provided with a cut-away portion 13- adapted to receive asplit bushing-33 that is adapted to fit around the crank pin 33 andprovide a bearing for the yoke arm. The bushing 33 is rigidly clamped inthe arm portion 13 by means of a cap 3| and bolts 32 and extendslaterally of the arms into engagement with the crank arms 3'! to providefor centering the yoke arms between the crank arms. Since the respectivepairs of crank arms 31 are positioned adjacent the ends of thecrankshaft the portions 13 of the yoke arms I3 and 13 are spacedrelatively far apart and provide for rigidly supporting (the beam 33against any tendency to turn about its longitudinal axis.

An arm 33 is rigidly attached to each of the pairs of crank arms 31 andin the normal position of the crank arms, which is the positionillustrated in which the crank arms extend forwardly of the crankshaft,the arms 35 extend upwardly and rearwardly of the crankshaft. A pair ofangle brackets 33 are rigidly attached to the frame members 2| and 22 asindicated at 31 and extend rearwardly and inwardly of the frame memberas shown. A coil spring 33 is tensioned between each of the arm 33 and acooperating bracket 36 and provides a torque tending to rotate thecrankshaft 32 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in the drawings.The springs 33 thus provide a torque which opposes the tendency of thecrankshaft to rotate in a clockwise direction under the torque appliedto the shaft by a pull or drag on the beam 33. The springs are attachedto the angle brackets 33 by means of eye-bolts 3| and nuts 32 whichprovide for adjusting the tension on the springs.

Upward movement of the crank arms in response to the torque applied tothe crankshaft by the springs 33 is limited by set screws 33, Figs. 2, 3and 4 which thread through plates 33 welded or otherwise rigidlyattached to the tops of the crank arms 31 and bear against the tops ofthe portions 13 of yoke arms 15 and I3. The set screws thus provide foradjusting the normal forward position of the crank arms and the beam 33supported thereon. The springs 33 are of a relatively strong, heavyconstruction and are tensioned by the adjusting bolts 3| to provide anormal pull on the arms 33 that is sufficient to resist any normal pullon the beam 33. The crank arms are thus maintained in the normal forwardposition with the yoke members engaged against the set screws 33 duringall normal operations of the attachment assembly. when an abnormal pullis applied to, the beam, however, such as when the plow or otherimplement strikes a large root, rock or other impassable obstrucof thesprings and the crank arms are rotated through an angle/6f approximately180- to a position in whichthey extend rearwardly oi the crankshaft.'I'he-adiustment of the set screws 95 is preferably such that when theyoke members engage against the screws the crank arms will extendsomewhat above the horizontal plane of the crankshaft as indicated inFig. 4v to support the beam 30 relatively close to its dead centerposition relative to the crankshaft. The component of force tending torotate the crankshaft in response to a pull on the beam 30 is thusreduced tore very small proportion of the total pull on the beam'and thesize and strength of the springs 90 can be correspondingly decreased.

The rotational movement of the crankshaft in response to an abnormaldrag on the beam 30 is utilized to lock the clutch in a disengagedposition and efiect stoppage of the tractor before there is any dangerof breaking the implement carried by the beam. This rotational movementalso provides for relative longitudinal movement between the tractor andimplement during the time that the clutch disengaging means isoperating. The arrangement is such that after the clutch pedal has beenlocked in the disengaged position the various parts of the attachmentassembly including the clutch disengaging means are automaticallyreturned to the normal position without the necessity of any adjustmentsor special operations on the part of the operator.

Referring to Figs. 1 through 4 a shaft I09 is rotatably supported on topof frame member as by means of lugs WI and retaining collars I02. An armI03 is attached to one end of the shaft and normally extends upwardlyand rearwardly of the shaft. A link I04 operatively connects the arm I03to one of the arms 05 carried by the crank arms 51. An arm I05 isattached to the other end of the shaft I and normally extends forwardlyof the shaft at a small angle above the horizontal. A linklilt'operatively connects the arm I with a lever I01 that is pivotallymounted on the shaft E08 which supports the clutch pedal I5.

The clutch pedal I5 is provided with a laterally extending,foot-engaging portion HQ and is pivotally mounted on the tractoradjacent its lower end by means of the shaft I08- Suitable means (notshown) are provided for disengaging the tractor clutch when the clutchpedal I5 is depressed-and forreturning the clutch pedal to the normalposition illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4- in which the clutch is engagedwhen the pedal is released. The lever I0'I is freely mounted on theshaft I08 and is provided-with an extension iii that is adapted toengage a lug H2 provided on the clutch pedal I5 and rotate the pedal toa clutch-disengaging position when the link I06is depressed by arm I05.Rotational movement of the crankshaft 32 and the crank arms 67 inresponse to an abnormal pull on the 'beam pull on the implement bemoved-under the influence of the springs 90 to a position facilitatingthe freeing of the im-' plement from-the obstacle and providing for theautomatic return of the clutch disengaging mechanism to its normaloperative position. As shown alocking lever I I 5 is pivotally mountedon the clutch pedal I5 above the lever I01 as indicated at 0 and isprovidedwith a-notched shoulder III which is adapted to drop intolockingengagement with a fixedly mounted lug H8 when the clutch pedal is movedto a clutch-disengaging position by the lever I01. With the clutch thuslocked the actuating lever I01 is free to return to its normal positionshown in .Figs. 1 and 4 and the tractor is free to move in a backwarddirection. The strength of springs 80 is such that as soon as theforward motion of the tractor has been arrested by the pull on the beam30'and while the clutch is still locked in the disengaged position thesprings will pull the tractor backwards to permit the crank arms to berotated under the influence of the springs to their normal forwardposition in which the yoke arms '55 and E6 extend forwardly of thecrankshaft and engage against the adjusting screws 95. The beam 30 andthe various parts of the clutch releasing mechanism are thusautomaticallyrestored to their normal operative position on the tractor,and the tractor is moved to a position providing for the ready freeingof the implement from the obstacle.

An auxiliary foot actuated lever B20 is pivotally mounted on the clutchpedal I5 above the locking lever 3 i5 as indicated at IZI and providesfor. disengaging the lockinglever from the lug 988 after the clutchreleasing mechanism has been restored to its normal operative positionby the springs $0. This lever also provides for maintaining the lockinglever H5 in a raised position in which it does not engage the lug H8during normal foot operation of the clutch pedal. As shown in Figs. 1and 4, the lever 120 is provided with a lower, forwardly-extendingportion I22 that overlies a forwardly extending portion 923 of thelocking lever and is adapted to engage the portion I23 and swing thelocking lever to an inoperative position relative to the locking lug H0when the auxiliary lever is depressed. A spring I26 normally holds theauxiliary lever 529 in a raised position providing for free movement ofthe lever H5 into locking engagement with the lug Hi3 when the clutchpedal is actuated by lever I97. The upper end of the auxiliary lever I20is provided with a re'arwardly extending portion E25 that overlies thefoot-engaging portion H0 of the clutch pedal and is adapted to bedepressed to depress the lever when the foot of the operator is placedin operative engagement on the clutch pedal. Thus in the normal footoperation of the clutch pedal the lever H0 is depressed by the operatorsfoot and maintains the locking lever H5 in a raised, non-lockingposition relative'to the lug H8. When it is desired to release theclutchpedal following its automatic operation by the lever I01 it isonly necessary for the operator to press down on the clutchpedal withhis foot, this operation serving to depress the lever I20 and swing thelocking lever 5 out of locking engagement with the lug I Ill. The clutchpedal may be then returned to its normal engaged position in theusualmanner.

As mentioned above the attachment assembly is shown as supporting a.plow 3| and the present invention isof particular importance when theimplement carried by the tractor is a plow. In

the operation of a plow it frequently occurs that the toe of the plowruns into relatively eavy rocks; roots, stumps and the like which areely to cause breakage or damage to the plow, particularly in the case ofa power driven implement, and the mechanism hereinabove describedprovides for protecting the plow against such injury. In addition theinvention provides for automatically raising the heel of the plow uponstriking an obstacle and for simultaneously tilting the plow to anangular position which tends to further protect the plow against injuryand facilitates the freeing of the plow from the obstacle and itspassage thereover. This angular positioning is such that the plowimmediately reenters the ground upon passing over the obstacle or, inthe case where the obstacle is impassable, the toe does not wedge itselfinto engagement with the obstacle, thus further facilitating the freeingof the plow from the obstacle. Further the invention provides forcontrolling the operation of the plow in a simple and effective mannerto cause even a relatively light plow to very quickly dig itself into orout of the groundyto provide for adjusting the depth of furrow dug, andto effect raising of the plow to an inoperative position above theground. In order to secure such operating results an control, the plowis pivotally mounted on the supporting beam 30 for free angular swingingmovement, about the axis of the pivot and its operation is controlled bya separate auxiliary beam operatively connected to an adjustable controlmeans mounted on the frame of the tractor. As shown in Figs. 2 and '7,the plow 3| is provided with the usual frog or throat I30, mouldboardI3I, landside I32, and plowshare I33 removably attached to the throat bythe clamping mechanism I34. A. reinforcing plate I38 is welded to thethroat and extends rearwardly in spaced parallel relation to thelandside side of the throat. A bolt I38 extends between the plate I35and the landside side of the throat and provides for pivotally mountingthe plow on the rear goose-neck portion I31 of the main beam 30.

The plow is thus mounted on the beam 30 for free angular swingingmovement about the axis of the pivot I38 but is rigidly supportedagainst any tendency to turn laterally or about the longitudinal axis ofthe supporting beam. Since the spaced-apart yoke arms 18 and 18 likewisesupport the beam 30 against any tendency towards turning laterally orabout its longitudinal axis and since the beam is of relatively shortlength the plow will always travel in straight line relative to thetractor. It is thus possible to plow a narrow ridge such as frequentlyoccurs in the center of a plowed field without any tendency for the plowto work its way to one or the other side of the ridge.

The auxiliary beam I40 is rigidly attached to the plow by means of bolts"I which extend between the plate I35 and the usual brackets I42provided on the mouldboard, and is shown as having a gooseneck I43 and aforwardly extending portion I44. The auxiliary beam is attached to theplow in rear of the 'pivotal connection with the main beam as shown, andthe portion I44 extends along one side of the main beam with its endin'advance of the toe of the plow and positioned below the main beamwhen the plow is operating or resting level on the ground. A rigid,vertically extending link I48 is pivotally connected to the auxiliarybeam I40 and operatively connects the forward end of the aroma? portionI44 of the auxiliary beam with the rearwardly extending arm I48 of .abell crank ever I that is pivotally mounted on the tr tor frame asindicated at IN. The other arm I82 of the bell crank I80 extendsdownwardly as shown and a link I03 operatively connects the lower end ofthe arm with the lower end of an arm I84 that is pivotally mounted tothe tractor frame adjacent the 'upper end of the arm as indicated atI88. A link I86 operatively connects the arm I54 with a pinch lever I80that is pivotally mounted on the tractor as indicated at I8I and isprovided with a suitable detent means adapted to releasably engage withthe teeth of a segmental rack I82 to lock the pinch lever in a desiredadjusted position.

As shown the pivotal connection between the link I48 and the arm portionI44 of auxiliary beam I40 lies intermediate the pivot axis 32 of themain beam and the pivot axis I38 of the plow and is so positioned thatthe turning radius of the auxiliary beam about its pivotal axis is muchless than the turning radius of the main beam about its pivotal axis.Thus upon angular swinging movement of the plow about its pivot I38under control of the auxiliary beam I40 the plow will turn rathersharply through a relatively large angle as compared to the anglethrough which the main beam swings about its pivot at the crank shaft32. f

It will be evident from the foregoing description that when the pinchlever I80 is moved towards the rear of the tractor the pivotally mountedarms I82 and I84 will move rearwardly to raise the forward end of theauxiliary beam I40 to cause the plow to swing about its pivotal mountingon the main beam 30 and tilt the toe of the plow upwardly. Similarlywhen the pinch lever is moved forwardly with respect to the tractor thelinkage mechanism will cause the forward end of the auxiliary beam I40to move downwardly and swing the plow to an angular position in whichthe toe points downwardly. The plow may thus be angularly tilted eitherupwardly or downwardly and the degree of tilt in either direction may bereadily adjusted by moving the lever I80 to any desired position on therack I82. The limit through which the plow may be tilted in a downwarddirection is such that the plow will digitself in to the maximum depthof furrow which the plow is designed to cut. The spacing between theforward-end of the auxiliary beam I40 and the mainbeam 30 is such thatthe plow can be tilted upwardly to an angle that is sumcient tocause-the plow to work itself rapidly out of the ground.

The arrangement of the link I48 and pinch lever I80 is such that theplow may be raised to an inoperative clearance position above theground. As shown in Fig. 6, the lower end of the link I40 which isconnected to the auxiliary beam I40 is provided with a hook-shapedextension I85 that is adapted to engage under the main beam 30 and raisethe main beam to a position in which the plow is supported a substantialdistance above the ground. The angular travel of the pinch lever I80 issuch that when the link I48 has been raised to a position in which itjust engages the bottom of beam 30 and the nose of the plow has beentilted upwardly to cause the plow to work itself out of the ground asdescribed above, the lever I60 will have moved through only a portion ofits maximum travel in the rearward direction. Thus after the plow hasworked itself to the top of the ground the pinch lever may be pulledbackwardsto its ex treme limit of travel and will cause the link I tomove still further upwardly. toraise the beam it and the plow to aclearance position above the ground.

The operation of the implement is as follows. During travel of thetractor from one location to another the plow is maintained in itsclear-' which the plow will operate. As the plow digs downwardly intothe ground the end of the main beam 30 that is attached to the plow islowered about its pivot on the tractor and. causes the plow to level offand travel at a predetermined depth depending on the angular adjustmentof the plow. The angular adjustment of the plow thus determines thedepth at which the plow operates and this adjustment is readilycontrolled by the adjusting lever I60. The detent means releasably locksthe lever ISO in its adjusted po-' sition and the plow normallycontinues to operate at the depth for which the lever is set. Since thevertical positioning of the forward end of auxiliary beam I40 is fixedrelative to the tractor frame by control lever I the toe of the plow isautomatically tilted upward when the rear wheels of the tractor passover a rise in the ground and is tilted downwardly when the wheels fallinto a depression, the degree of tilt being proportional to the rise orfall of the ground. The plow is thus automatically maintained at asubstantially even depth below the surface of the ground although theground itself may be very uneven. Should the plow runinto relativelyhard ground the drag on the plow tends to turn its toe downward aboutthe pivotal axis :on the main beam and there is, accordingly, notendency for the plow to work its way out of the hard ground.

Should it be desired to cause the plow to operate at a greater or lesserdepth it is only necessary to change the adjustment of the lever i6!)relative to the segmental rack I62, the plow then automaticallyadjusting itself and levelling ofi at the new level. When it is desiredto terminate the plowing operation the control lever 460 is pulledbackward to a position in which the toe of the plow is tilted upwardly.This causes the plow to dig or lift itself out of the ground while thetractor travels only a relatively short distance forward. After the plowhas dug its way to the surface it may be readily lifted to itsinoperative position above the ground by pulling the lever ISO to itsextreme position of rearward travel. During raising and lowering of thebeam 30 and during the digging of the-plow into and out of the groundthe beam 30 and crank arms 61 pivot about the axis of the crankshaft 32and the yoke members 15 and 16 are maintained in engagement with the setscrews 95 by the springs 90.

If during a plowing operation the plow encounters some obstacle such asa relatively large rock,

root, or the like the initial engagement of the plow with the obstaclecauses the plow'to tend to pivot about-its toe as an axis, and since theforward end of the auxiliary beamilli is locked in its adjusted verticalpositioning this'tendency anamori 5. causes the. heel of the plow andthe beam to move upwardly. As the beam moves upwardly the plowsimultaneously swings about its pivot I" and the toe of the plow iscaused to. auto matically tilt downwardly in accordance with the upwardmovent of the beam. The movement of the plow is thus such as to tend tothrow theplow' upwardly and free ofthe obstacle, and

the plow is automatically tilted to an angular position whichfacilitates passage of the plow over injury. When the plow has passedover the obl0 the obstacle and tends to protect the plow against staclethe downward tilt of the toe causes the plow to immediately reenter theground and since the auxiliary beam is still locked in its" adjustedposition the plow levels 011' at the desired depth of out without thenecessity for any adjustments whatsoever on the part of theoperator.Since the only weight supported by the beam 30 is the plow itself theplow and beam normally are readily thrown clear of even a relativelylarge obstacle upon engagement of the plow with the obstacle.

Should the obstacle be-such that the plow cannot pass thereover when itis thrc n upwardly and tilted in the manner described, the excessivepull on the plow andbeam 30 will overcome the action of the springs andcause the crank arms 81 to rotateto a position in rear of thecrankshaft. This rotation of the; crank arms and crankshaft causes theclutch to be automate ically locked in a disengaged position as here-.lnabove described. This operation takes place before there is any dangerof damaging the plow or other parts of the tractor assembly, theconstruction described providing for the immediate stopping of the plowwith alimited continuation of forward motion of the tractor. As soon asthe forward momentum of the tractor has been absorbed by the springs 80and the tractor has stopped with its'clutch locked in the disengagedposition the springs act to return the tractor to a position whichfacilitates the freeing of the plow from the obstacle and permits thesprings to automatically reset the clutch releasing mechanism to itsnormal operative position. The relative longitudinal movement betweenthe beam 30 and the tractor in response to an excessive or abnormal pullon the plow causes the plow to rotate about its pivot in a directionthat tends to still further freethe plow from the obstacle and protectit against injury.

The automatic tilting of the plow and the I obstruction by merelypulling backward on the lever I60. The forward travel of the tractor canthen be continued by pressing down on the; clutch pedal to release thelock HE andreleasing the clutch pedal in the usual manner. After theobstacle is passed the lever IE8 is moved forward to again lower theplow to the ground and cause it to dig in 1 to the desired depth. Shouldthe plow have wedged itself into the obstacle, however. it can bereadily freed by pressing down on the clutch pedal to release the lockand backing the tractor under its own power to move the plow away fromthe obstacle.

There is thus provided a unitary power driven implement that isistrongand inexpensive in construction, that provides for protecting theimplement in use, and which is readily maneuvered and controlled at alltimes by a singl operator:

able mounting for the implement carrying crankshaft adapts the implementfor use on all kinds of ground and for various purposes.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferredembodiment of the inven- 10 tion, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and thatchanges may be made therein without departing from the scope of theinvention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a farming implement of the character described, a power drivenvehicle, a plow sup port pivotally mounted on said vehicle, a plowpivotally mounted on said support, means attached to said plow andadjustably mounted upon a fixed portion of said vehicle for controllingthe angular relation of the plow with respect to said plow support andfor causing the plow upon engaging an obstacle to automatically tilt ina direction tending to free the plow from the obstacle, and meansresponsive to an abnormal pull on said plow for rendering the powermeans of the vehicle inoperative. I

2. In a farming implement of the character described, a power drivenvehicle, an implement adapted to be operated by said vehicle, a supportfor said implement, yieldabie drive means for connecting said implementsupport to said vehicle including a rotatable shaft, means providing forlimited relative movement of said implement support with respect to saidvehicle upon rotation oi said shaft, means eifective at a predeterminedangular position of said shaft for providing a direct non-yielding drivefor said im- 40 plement support, resilient means for normallymaintaining said shaft in said predetermined non-yielding drive positionunder normalload conditions and providing for rotation of said shaitunder yielding action of said resilient 45 means to effect relativemovement of the vehicle forwardly of said implement in response to anabnormal load condition, means for disengaging the power drive means ofsaid vehicle in response to yielding movement of said yieldabie drive,and

so means for retaining the power drive means in inoperative condition toprovide for restoring the yieldabie drive to normal direct drivingrelation; 3. In a farming implement ofthe character described, a powerdriven vehicle, an implement I 55 adapted to be operated by saidvehicle, a support so otally connecting said implement support to one ofsaid arms, means eflective at a predetermined angular position of saidarms for providing a direct non-yielding drive for said implementsupport, means including a resilient link connected to 66 the other ofsaid arms for normally maintaining said arms in said predeterminednon-yielding drive position under normal load conditions and providingfor rotation of said arms under yielding action of said resilient linkto effect lim- 70 ited relative movement of the vehicle forwardly 7 5said clutch in disengaged position, said resilof said implement inresponse to an abnormal load condition, means for disengaging the clutchof said vehicle in response to yielding movement of said yielding drivemeans, and means for locklent link upon the locking of said clutch indisengaged position providing for returning said vehicle with respect tosaid implement to thereby automatically restore said yieldabie drivemeans to normal direct driving relation.

4. In a farming implement oi the character described, a power drivenvehicle, a beam adapted to mount a plow on said vehicle, means forpivotally mounting said beam, yieldabie means including a resilient linkinterconnecting said pivotal mounting means and said vehicle, a plowpivotally mounted on said beam for angular swinging movement withrespect thereto, means attached to said plow and adjustably mounted upona fixed portion of said vehicle for controlling direct, non-yieldingdrive of said plow under normal load conditions, saidresilient linkproviding for limited relative movement between said ve-' hicle and plowin response to an abnormal load condition, means for disengaging theclutch of said vehicle in response to yielding movement of saidyieldabie interconnecting means, and means for retaining said clutch indisengaged position to provide for restoring said yieldabieinterconnecting means to normal direct driving relation.

5. In a farming implement of the character described, a power drivenvehicle, a beam adapted to mount a plow on said vehicle, means forpivotally mounting said beam, yieldabie means including a resilient linkinterconnecting said pivotal mounting means and said vehicle, a plowpivotally mounted on said beam for angular swinging movement withrespect thereto, means attached to said plow and adjustably mounted upona fixed portion of said vehicle for controlling the angular reiation ofthe plow with respect to the main beam and for causing the plow uponengaging an obstacle to automatically tilt in a direction tending tofree the plow from the obstacle and protect the plow against injury,means associated with said resilient link to provide for direct,non-yielding drive of said plow under normal load conditions, saidresilient link providing for limited relative movement of the vehicleforwardly of the plow in response toan abnormal load condition, meansfor disengaging the clutch of said vehicle in response to yieldingmovement of said yieldabie interconnecting means, and means forretaining saidclutcli in disengaged position to provide for clearingtheplow of the obstacle, said resilient link providing for return of saidvehicle with respect to the plow to thereby automatically restore saidyieldabie connection to normal direct driving relation and facilitatefreeing the plow from the obstacle.

6. Ina farming implement of the character described, a power drivenvehicle, ashaft extending transversely of the vehicle and provided withan eccentrically mounted crank pin, means rotatably mounting said shafton said vehicle for movement of said crank pin from a position inadvance of said shaft to a position in rear of said shaft, an implementsupporting beam pivotally mounted on said crank pin for movementtherewith, resilient means for normally retaining said crank pin in saidforward position, stop means for'limiting the movement of said crank pinunder the action of said resilient means to a pomtion such that the axisof said beam is displaced only a direct driving connection between saidvehicle.

and said beam and providing for relative movement between the vehicleand said beam under s the yielding action of said resilient means inresponse to an abnormal load on said beam.

'7. In a farming implement of the character described, a power drivenvehicle, a shaft extending transversely of the vehicle and provided withan eccentrically mounted crank pin, means rotatabiy mounting said shafton said vehicle for movement of said crank pin from a position inadvance of said shaft to a position in rear of said shaft, an implementsupporting beam pivotally-- mounted on said crank pingfor movementtherewith, resilient means 'for normally retaining said crank pin insaid forward position, stop means for limiting the movement of saidcrank pin under the action of said resilient means to a position suchthat the axis of said beam is displaced only slightly from the center ofsaid shaft, said resilient means and stop means providing a direct,non-yielding driving connection between said vehicle and said beam undernormal load conditions and providing for rotation of said shaft to.

cause relative movement between the vehicle and said beam under theyieldabie action of said resilient means in response to an abnormal loadon said beam, means for disengaging the clutch of said vehicle inresponse to rotation of said shaft, and means for maintaining saidclutch in disengaged position to provide for restoring said directdriving connection between the beam and vehicle under the action of saidresilient means.

8 In an implement attachment of the character described, a supportingframe adapted to be attached to a vehicle, an elongated crank-shaftmeans, said resilient means and stop means pro-v viding a direct,non-yielding connection between Y said frame and said beam under normalload conditions and providing for rotation of said .crank shaft to causerelative movement between said frame and said beam under the yieldableaction of said resilient means in response to an abnormal load on saidbeam, and means for adjusting the positioning of one end of said crankshaft to vary the angularity of the crank shaft relative to said frame.

Q. In a ground-working farming implement'of the character described, avehicle, a beam pivotally mounted on said vehicle for free swingingmovement in a substantially vertical plane and having a normally freeend extending towards the ground and adapted to support a groundworkingtool thereon, a plow-like tool'pivotally mounted on said free end ofsaid beam for free angular swinging movement with respect tosaid beam,said plow-like tool being adapted to automatically swing about itspivotal axis on the free end of said beam under reaction to groundforces acting thereon and tending to dig itself further into the groundupon increase in said ground forces, and adjustable control meansmounted on a fixed portion of said vehicle and connected to saidplow-like tool eccentrically of-the pivotal axis thereof and normallyfree from connection with said beam for controlling angular swingingmovement of the tool about its pivotal axis on the end of said beam toadjust the depth of operation and cause the tool to work into and out ofthe ground.

' 10. In aground-working farming implement of the character'described, avehicle, a beam pivotally mounted on said vehicle for free swingingmovement in a substantially vertical plane and having a normally freeend extending towards the ground and adapted to support a ground-workingtool. thereon, a plow-like tool pivotally mounted on said freeend ofsaid beam for free angular swinging movement with respect to said beam,said plow-like tool being adapted to automatically swing about itspivotal axis on the free end of said beam under reaction to groundforces actingthereon and tending to .dig itself. further into the groundupon increase in said ground forces, and adjustable control meansmounted on a fixed portion of said vehicle and connected to saidplow-like tool eccentrically of the pivotal axis thereof and normallyfree from connection with said beam for controlling angular swingingmovement of the tool about its pivotal axis on the end of said beam toadjust the depth of operation and cause the tool to work into and out ofthe ground, said eccentric connection between said control means andsaid plow-like tool providing for automatically effecting swinging ofthe plowing tool about its pivot in accordance with the contour of theground to cause the tool to remain at substantially the adjusted depthof operation upon changes in the ground contour.

11. In a ground-working farming implement of the character described, avehicle, a beam pivotally mounted on said vehicle for free swingingmovement in a substantially vertical plane and having a normally freeend extending towards the ground and adapted to support a ground-workingtool thereon, a plow-like tool pivotally mounted on said free end ofsaid beam for free angular swinging movement with respect to said beam,said plow-like tool being adapted to automatically swing about itspivotal axis on the free end of said beam under reaction to groundforces acting thereon and tending, to .dig itself further into theground upon increase in said ground forces, and adjustable control meansmounted on a fixed portion of said vehicle and connected to saidplow-like tool eccentrically of the pivotal axis thereof and normallyfree from connection with said beam for controlling angular swingingmovement of the tool about its pivotal axis on the end of said beam toadjust the depth of operation and cause the tool to work into axis-in a.direction tending to free the tool from the obstruction and protect thetool against injury. I

12. In a ground-working farming implement of the character described, avehicle; a beam pivotally mounted on saidvehicle for free swingingmovementin a substantially vertical plane and having a normally free endextending towards the ground and adapted to support a ground workingtool thereon, a plow-like tool pivotally mounted on said free end ofsaid beam for free angular swinging movement with respect to said beam,said plow-like tool being adapted to automatically swing about itspivotal axis on the free end of said beam under reaction to groundforces acting thereon and tending to dig itself further into the groundupon increase in said ground forces, and adjustable control meansmounted on a fixed portion of said vehicle and connected to saidplow-like tool eccentrically of the pivotal axis thereof. and normallyfree from connection with said beam for controlling angular swingingmovement of the too] about its pivotal axis on the end of said beam toadjust the depth of operation and cause the tool to work into and out ofthe ground, said plow-like tool and said beam being unrestrained forfree swinging movement upwardly about the pivot axis. of said beam uponthe tool engaging an abnormal ob-' struction, and said control meansupon said upward swinging movement of the plow-like tool providing forautomatically tilting the tool about its pivot axis in a directiontending to facilitate passage of the tool over said obstruction andproviding for immediate re-entry ofthe tool to the adjusted depth ofoperation within the ground under automatic action of the control meansupon passage of the tool over the obstruction.

13. In a ground-working farming implement of the character described, avehicle, a beam pivotally-mounted on said vehicle for free swingingmovement in a substantially vertical plane and having a normally freeend extending towards the ground and adapted to support a ground-work-"ing toolthereon,"a plow-like tool pivotally mounted on said free end ofsaid beam for free angular swinging movement with respect to said beam,said plow-like tool being adapted toautomatically swing about itspivotal axis on the free end of said beam under reaction to groundforces acting thereon and tending to dig itself further into the groundupon increase in said ground forces, and adjustable control meansmounted on a fixed portion ofsaid vehicle and connected to saidplow-like tool eccentrically of the pivotal axis thereof and normallyfree from connection with said beam for controlling angular swingingmovement of the tool about its pivotal axis on the end of said beam toadjust the depth of operation and-cause the tool to work into and out ofthe ground, said eccentric connection between said control means andsaid plow-like tool-providing for automatically effecting swinging ofthe tool about its pivot in accordance with the contour of the ground tocause the tool to remain at subthrough a relatively large angle upon thetool engaging an abnormal obstruction to facilitate passage of the toolover the obstruction and effect immediate re-entry of the tool to theadjusted depth of operation within the ground under automatic action ofthe control means upon passage of the tool over the obstruction.

14. In a ground-working farming implement of the character described, avehicle, a plow beam pivotally mounted on said vehicle for freeswinging'movement in a substantially vertical plane and having anormally free end extending towards the ground and adapted to support aground-working tool thereon, a plow-like tool pivotally mounted on saidfree end of said beam for free angular swinging movement with respect tosaid beam, said plow-like tool being adapted to automatically swingabout its pivotal axis on the free end of said beam underreaction toground forces acting thereon and tending to dig itself further into theground upon increase in said ground forces, a lever connected to saidplow-like tool eccentrically of the pivotal axis thereof andindependently of said beam for controlling said angular swingingmovement of said tool about its pivot axis, adjustable means mounted ona fixed portion of said vehicle and having a pivotal connection withsaid lever for controlling operation of said lever to adjust the depthof operation of said plow-like tool and cause the tool to dig itselfinto and out of the ground, said tool and said beam being unrestrainedfor free swinging movement upwardly about the pivotal axis of said beamupon the tool engaging an abnormal obstruction, said lever being adaptedto turn about said pivotal connection with the adjusting means upon saidupward movement of the tool and said eccentric connection providing forswinging the tool about its pivotal axis to tilt the toe of the tooldownwardly, and said pivotal connection between said lever and saidadjustable means being positioned above the pivotal axis of saidplow-like tool and intermediate said pivotal axis and the pivotal axisof said beam to provide for swinging the tool through a relatively largeangle upon 3 said upward movement thereof.

15. In a ground-working farming implement of the, character described, avehicle, a plow beam pivotally mounted on said vehicle for free swingingmovement in a substantially vertical plane and having a normally freeend extending to- "wards the ground and adapted to support aground-working tool thereon, a plow-like tool pivotally mounted on saidfree end of said beam for free angular swinging movement with respect toon a fixed portion of said vehicle, means connected to said plow-liketool and to said control lever and normally free from connection withsaid beam for eflecting angular swinging movement of said tool about itspivot axis upon adjustment of said control lever to control theoperation of the tool, and means included in said connecting means forraising said beam and said plow-like tool to a clearance position abovethe ground upon predetermined adjustment of said lever.

16. A ground plowing implement of the character described comprising avehicle, a drag beam pivotally mounted on said vehicle for free swingingmovement in a substantially vertical plane and having a normally freeend extending towards the ground and adapted to support a plowing toolthereon, a plowing tool pivotally mounted on said free end of said dragbeam for angular swinging movement with respect to the beam. saidplowing tool being adapted to automatically swing about its pivotal axison the free end of said beam under reaction to ground forces actingthereon and tending to dig itself further into the ground upon increasein said ground forces, an auxiliary beam rigidly attached to saidplowing tool in rear of the pivotal axis thereof and extending forwardlytowards the pivot axis of said drag beam above the pivotal axis of saidplowing tool, adjusting means mounted on a fixed portion of said vehiclefor effecting adjustment oi said auxiliary beam to control said angularswinging movement of said plowing tool about its pivotal axis, and meansproviding a pivotal connection between said adjusting means and saidlever at a position intermediate the pivotal axis of said beam and thepivotal axis of said plowing tool.

17. A farm implement as defined in claim 16 in which the turning radius01' said auxiliary beam about its'pivotal connection with said adjustingmeans is substantially less than the tuming radius of said drag beamabout its pivot axis,

and means is provided for eflecting raising of said drag beam and theplowing tool to a clearance position above the ground under control ofsaid adjusting means.

MELVIN 0. CW.

